Ireland fans have been warned that tickets for their games at this year's Rugby World Cup will be "extremely limited".

The demand for tickets to watch Joe Schmidt's Grand Slam winners is on par with world champions New Zealand, England and hosts Japan, who they play in their second pool game. A first-come-first-served ticket sales process will begin later this week.

Akira Shimazu, CEO of Japan's Rugby World Cup 2019 Organising Committee said: "For anybody considering buying tickets for matches that still have availability I suggest you move as quickly as possible when first-come-first-served sales begin.

"The huge demand from domestic rugby fans unable to secure tickets for Japan matches will spread quickly to the tournament’s remaining matches.

Read More

Leinster Rugby

"There are still some great tickets available and we want to ensure that we welcome as many foreign fans as possible for this once-in-a-lifetime tournament.”

World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont furthered this sentiment, adding: “Rugby World Cup is proving to be the event to attend in 2019 with record ticket applications.

"The incredible demand for tickets demonstrates that Asia’s first Rugby World Cup has truly captured the imagination of fans around the world.

"It will be a tournament that has fans and teams at heart, celebrates rugby and Japan and will further the reach and growth of the sport across Asia and around the world.”

Ticket sales will happen with a two-stage process. There will be an exclusive opportunity for applicants who were unsuccessful in the 2018 sales ballots commencing on Tuesday and sales to the general public following on January 19.

The tournament begins on September 20, while Ireland kick off their campaign in Yokohama on Sunday, September 22 against Scotland.

They then play Japan in Shizuoka on the 28th and Russia in Kobe on October 3.

Ireland's pool campaign will finish in Fukuoka on October 12, and they will hopefully have further games to play in the knockout stages.